The Los Angeles Clippers are betting on continuity and calculated upside. After re-signing James Harden and aligning his new two-year, $81.5 million contract with Kawhi Leonard’s timeline, the team is expected to finalize a deal with Bradley Beal as soon as the veteran clears waivers on Friday. Beal will reportedly sign a two-year contract worth $11 million, with a player option for the second season—though both he and the organization see this partnership as a long-term fit.
“Brad did not want to go anywhere where he would be a one-year rental,” Beal’s agent Mark Bartelstein told Front Office Sports. “The goal of this is to go to LA, have an awesome season and then re-sign a long-term deal with the Clippers next summer.”
A Better Fit in LA
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After giving back roughly $14 million to negotiate a buyout with the Phoenix Suns, Beal is forgoing short-term earnings in favor of opportunity. The 32-year-old guard, who was traded to the Suns just one year after signing a five-year, $251 million max contract with Washington, never quite found his footing in Phoenix’s crowded offensive hierarchy. In LA, he sees the chance to reclaim his All-Star form in a more defined role.
“The Clippers presented an opportunity for Brad to really be the best version of himself, to get back to being exactly who he is,” Bartelstein said. “That’s a multiple-time All-Star and All-NBA player.”
Beal’s production with Phoenix dipped to 17.0 points and 3.7 assists per game—his lowest scoring output since his rookie year. Injuries and a shifting role alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker limited his impact. But with the Clippers, the vision is clear: Beal will slot into a more natural scoring role in a balanced offense, joining Leonard, Harden, and now veteran additions like Brook Lopez and John Collins.
A Contract That Reflects the Plan
Beal’s short-term deal may look modest—especially for a player who still shot over 50 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from three last season—but it’s part of a larger strategy. The Clippers are operating within salary cap constraints this summer, and Beal’s contract is a function of what’s available. The player option serves as a fallback, not the plan.
“Brad’s value as a player in this league far exceeds the contract we’re signing with the Clippers,” Bartelstein explained. “But in this salary cap environment, the fit and opportunity mattered more. That player option is a security blanket, but the goal is to opt out next summer and sign long term.”
This mirrors the Clippers’ broader roster-building philosophy: short-term flexibility paired with long-term commitment to their core. Harden’s new deal, which includes a player option and partial guarantee in Year 2, was designed to match Leonard’s window through 2026-27. Beal’s projected long-term deal would further synchronize their top-tier talent.
Harden-Led Culture, Leonard-Led Ceiling
Despite another frustrating playoff exit—falling to Denver in seven games—the Clippers saw enough from their 50-win season to double down. Harden averaged 22.8 points and 8.7 assists in 79 games and made All-NBA Third Team, even as Leonard missed 45 games. His chemistry with Ivica Zubac and willingness to embrace a leadership role gave the front office confidence.
“I want to be able to keep a core together for a few years,” Harden said during the season. “I’m here home, and I’m happy.”
Team president Lawrence Frank echoed that sentiment, calling Harden’s re-signing the offseason’s top priority. With Beal expected to follow, the Clippers are building around a trio that may lack youth but carries immense playoff experience and complementary skill sets.
A Strategic Rebuild of Trust and Talent
Beal’s arrival caps off a quietly ambitious offseason. John Collins provides frontcourt athleticism, while Brook Lopez brings rim protection and spacing. Together, they solidify a rotation that still hinges on Leonard’s health—but now features more options to survive his absences.
The real gamble, however, lies in Beal. Not because of the price—LA is getting him at a discount—but because of the long-term intent. Beal doesn’t want to bounce again. After 11 years in Washington and one tumultuous season in Phoenix, he’s aiming for stability and purpose.
“Brad doesn’t like change,” Bartelstein said. “It’s one of the reasons he stayed in Washington so long. The goal now is to go to LA, have an awesome season, and then re-sign a long-term deal with the Clippers this summer.”
The Clippers are banking on that. Because if this trio stays healthy—and aligned—they might just be built for one more real run.